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By Robyn DixonLos Angeles Times • Wednesday November 13, 2013 6:09 AM

JOHANNESBURG — Witnesses at the scene of a horrific bus and truck collision in South Africa that
killed 29 people described the screams of trapped bus passengers as they waited for help, local
media reported yesterday.

Thirty others were injured in the crash.

The accident occurred late Monday in bad weather and involved two trucks, a bus and an SUV.

In response, South African President Jacob Zuma criticized his country’s appalling rate of road
fatalities, saying the loss of so many lives was unacceptable. In 2010, South Africa had 31.9
deaths from fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, according to the World Health Organization. The
U.S. had a rate of 10.7 that year.

South Africa set up an inquiry into Monday’s accident. It occurred nearly 40 miles northeast of
Pretoria in Mpumalanga province as a vehicle was stopped in the road. A truck swerved into oncoming
traffic to avoid it, colliding with the bus.

The country’s road fatalities often involve trucks or commuter minibuses, partly because of
official corruption that enables vehicles that aren’t roadworthy to operate. Speed and alcohol also
play a role.

The accident comes two months after a truck driver smashed into commuter taxis in Pinetown and
killed 26.